Review of Raise Your Voice (2004) by Amanda Blue Q — 26 Jul 2008

In one word: typical. Oh-so-typical.

Let's start with Hilary Duff. She's not bad. But she's not good either. Acting-wise that is. Typical acting from Hilary Duff that we have all seen before. She's actually trying to be "cute." And I didn't find her cute. Singing-wise, Hilary Duff was well, to be quite honest, terrible. Well, when she's not trying to reach the high notes, she's OK, but the moment she does, you start to cringe. They could've chosen another actress to play that role. Bad casting, indeed.

The trying to be cute and singing thing is quite reminiscent of another actress, Vanessa Hudgens. I think the difference lies on the fact that Vanessa Hudgens was actually cute and can actually sing. Between Vanessa ad Hilary, I'd take Vanessa.

However, the movie was not totally spoiled by Hilary Duff. The other young actors shined as well. Oliver James showed off his talent in singing. sang a lot better than Duff. Again, bad casting. Or should I say inappropriate and mixed up. who played the violin was really good. Good thing she turned out to be the best, not Duff's character. That's one thing they got right.

I have to give credit to the song "Someone's Watching Over Me." Lyrics I mean, the singing was awful. The lyrics were very appropriate for the movie and captured Terri Fletcher's feelings about her brother's death.